Put on Love
With the flurry of activity in the backyard, it took awhile for me to notice.
We were hosting a baby shower over the weekend for dear family friends and their son.
Everyone had contributed to the day.
Decorating an amazing balloon arch.
Creating a multitude of desserts that were as pleasing to the eye as they were to taste.
Making a buffet of food to serve the many guests who came to celebrate this special occasion.
And on grill duty, my friend Chris.
Our families had met at church over 20 years ago.
We have celebrated many occasions together over the years.
Today was the addition of a new memory.
But when I looked down to the yard to see my friend taking a break from the heat, I saw something that I had missed earlier.
Chris was wearing my Dad’s apron.
Behind my sunglasses, I could feel my eyes tear up.
My sister had made this apron out of one of my Dad’s shirts for me after he passed away.
It hung just around the corner from the kitchen.
If my parents were still with us, they would have been in the backyard celebrating as well.
With all the activity, I almost missed it.
My friend had put on love.
That meant more than I could say.
In our day to day lives, that is what we are called to do as God’s people.
To above all else, put on love.
In a world full of distractions, we are called to reflect kindness, compassion and patience.
Maybe it is through a kind word.
Maybe it is through a simple gesture.
It can even be by putting on an apron.
Whatever it is for you friends, don’t forget to put on love today.
It’s your most important garment.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:12-14 ESVShare this:
Pass It On
My son, Dan is working at Summer Camp now that his semester has ended at college.
The thought of camp makes me think back to my own experiences during childhood with camps and Vacation Bible School.
Snack time and crafts.
Meeting new friends.
But it is the music that stands out in my mind the most.
A song written by Kurt Kaiser will forever be embedded in my heart.
Pass It On.
As an adult, I realize now that it was also laying the foundation for what we are all called to do: share His love.
Once you have experienced it, you do not want to keep it to yourself.
Here are some of the lyrics:
“It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread His love to ev’ryone
You want to pass it on.”Have you experienced His love?
Who can you pass it onto today?
It only takes a spark.
Share His love.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NLTShare this:
Entwined with His Heart
I could see my husband looking toward the sky this morning when he called me outside.
Shifting my gaze upward, I could see three eagles flying together overhead.
It is not uncommon for us to see one or even two at times, but three?
Oh how marvelous His creation is when we stop to notice!
My thoughts immediately went to this verse in Isaiah.
I love to read different translations of Bible verses, and this one spoke to me.
“But those who entwine their hearts with Yahweh will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their races without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up.”
Isaiah 40:31 TPTSome variations say those who trust in the Lord, wait on the Lord or hope in Him.
But to entwine my heart with Yahweh’s?
What a beautiful posture to start Holy Week.
Friends, my prayer is that as you entwine your heart with His, that you will find renewed strength and soar like the eagles.
Blessings in heaps.
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His Light
Someone shared this scripture that spoke to me.
Maybe it will speak to you, too.
Whatever darkness you are facing right now, remember His light surrounds you.“Listen, my enemy. Don’t gloat over me when I fall, for I will get back up even stronger. Whenever I feel darkness around me, Yahweh himself will be the light that surrounds me.”
Micah 7:8 TPTShare this:
Closer Than the Clouds
Some people believe that God is far away.
Above the clouds.
Out of their reach.
But He is everywhere.
So how can someone who feels God is far feel His love?
Through His children who know that He is always near and lives in their hearts.
We are the expression of His love to those around us , especially those who may feel He is as far away as the clouds.
“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.”
1 John 4:12 (NLT)
Today, how can you show someone that God is not far?
Go and share His love.
(Photo credit- my husband, John).
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A Father for All
A friend recently posted that the pastor of her church had passed away.
It wasn’t until we spoke that I understood how much this person meant to her.
She described him as someone who was like a father to her, and a grandfather to her children.
A deeply felt loss.
He was like family.
In His word, God tells us that we are His children.
His sons and daughters.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…”
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
His love for us is so great, that He did not want to spend eternity without us.
That would be a deeply felt loss.
Because we are His family.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (ESV)
My friend shared her story about someone who was like a father to her.
A relationship that had an impact in her life.
Sharing our stories about the One who is our Father makes Him real to others.
If someone who doesn’t know God sees Him working in our lives, it opens the possibility to them that He can work in theirs, too.
This is not just a relationship that can impact our lives.
It is the most important relationship we will ever have.
How is God showing up for real in your life?
Friends, share your stories.
Make Him real for someone who doesn’t know Him.
He is a Father for us all.
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Hope
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No Greater Love
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Joy
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Wisdom
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